Open Tender Invitation posted 27 June 2018
Deadline: 27 July 2018. Please note: the deadline for expression of intent to submit has been changed from 18 July to 27 July.
Bidder Questions:
Q: What travel costs should be included in the budget?
There is no need to specify exact travel costs in the budget, as the number and location of trips needed under the consultancy has not been finalized.
Q: Is there a template that should be used to submit the budget?
No, there is no specific budget template . As we are accepting proposals from both individuals and organizations, bidders may approach the budget in different ways.
Q: Will the consultant be present for all consultation meetings across the GWP network? If not, how will these consultations be managed and results captured?
It is not envisioned that the consultant will be present at all of the consultations that will take place in GWP’s 13 Regional Water Partnerships, or with our many Country Water Partnerships. However, it is envisioned that the consultant will support in developing the materials to structure these consultations so that they feed into the strategy in a way that is relevant and useful. Time for strategy discussion will be built into regularly scheduled regional and country-level meetings. GWP will also hold a virtual network meeting for all GWP partners, which will be another opportunity to gather insights related to the strategy.
It is our hope that the consultant can support GWP to best harvest input from a complex, multi-level network.
Q: Is it possible to extend the deadline for submission?
Unfortunately, while a provision to consider a deadline extension does exist in the Tender Invitation, GWP will not be extending the deadline to submit proposals.
Q: Are joint proposals submitted by two organizations eligible?
Joint proposals are eligible, but there must be one primary applicant with whom the final contract will be signed. Please indicate this in your proposal.
Q: Is there value in the consultant contributing their own knowledge and insight to the strategic content, or is the task primarily to organise the formulation of the strategy (facilitating)?
There is space for the consultant to contribute knowledge and insight to the strategic content if applicable. For this reason, one of the evaluation criteria is experience with global development agendas and related international organizations and processes.
Q: What is the nature and expected content of the "brief inception document on the proposed methodology" that must be submitted as part of the tender offer?
The proposed methodology portion can be brief (1-2) pages and should demonstrate the bidder’s proposed approach to facilitating the strategic process. It should help provide a case that the bidder meets the assessment criteria, particularly the below:
- Track record in the facilitation of strategy development processes for complex organizations (i.a. multi-layered, knowledge intensive and network-based organizations)
- Quality of proposal
- Clarity and appropriateness of proposed methodology
Q: Should the total number of staff days for the full team not exceed 50 days? Should bidders propose individual consultants or teams?
50 staff days suggested is an estimate, not a requirement or a maximum. Both individuals and teams will be considered.
Q: Do subcontractor consultants have to be included in the total of 50 staff days? Or, can they be proposed in addition, with daily rates disclosed?
Subconsultants may be part of the proposal. As stated in the Tender invitation, if applicable, the tender should include a list of the subcontractors the company intends to use during the assignment. It is not required to include staff days or daily rates for subconsultants in the proposal (though they may be included).
Q: Is there any guidance on an acceptable, inclusive daily professional rate?
Due to variation in rates and rate calculations across organizations, teams, and geographies, GWP cannot suggest a specific daily professional rate.
Q: Is there a total project budget, not to be exceeded? Or, if our proposal is accepted, does that become the contract ceiling?
If the bid is selected, the final contract will be negotiated. The proposed budget and/or scope of the proposal may undergo adjustment during the negotiation process.
Q: Did GWP work with a consultant to develop the current strategic plan, 2014 - 19?
GWP did not work with a consultant during the development process for the last strategy, though GWP did work with consultants during the writing and editing processes.
Q: Can we receive a list of those invited to submit a response to the Tender Invitation?
This is an open Tender Invitation. The Tender Invitation has been posted publicly on the GWP website.
Q: Will meetings and conference calls be conducted in English? Are there any language translation requirements/costs to account for in the proposal? Are there any foreign language preferences for the firm?
Yes: the work will be carried out in English. While GWP’s Regional Water Partnerships and Country Water Partnerships will be consulted during the strategy process, there is no need for the proposal to account for translation costs or requirements. No specific foreign language preferences are specified in the Tender Invitation.
Q: Is there a preference for working with a firm from a particular country? Are any restrictions on the types of organisation that may qualify?
There are no location-based restrictions or preferences for applicant organisations. As stipulated in the Tender Invitation, exposure to the international environment, in particular the development agenda and related international organizations and processes, is required.
Q: Would we qualify as bidder for this tender invitation, or are you working with a fixed pre-selected list?
This is an open Tender Invitation that has been posted publicly - as such, any organization is welcome to apply.
Q: What exactly is the role of the GWPO secretariat in the delivery of the 2020-2025 strategy?
The GWPO Secretariat is responsible for overseeing and carrying out the strategy development process. The consultancy outlined in this Tender Invitation will support this process, and will work in very close coordination with the GWPO Secretariat - particularly with the GWPO strategy formulation project team mentioned in the Tender Invitation.
In terms of delivering on the strategy once finalized, the GWPO Secretariat acts as the ‘network hub’ for GWP. The Secretariat manages GWP’s finances and reports on funding received at the global level. It also helps with the exchange of knowledge, resources, and ensures communication and coherence across the Network.
Q: Considering the timespan vs estimated days: are you seeking part-time external support throughout the year, or are you also open to several sprints of full-time support?
Yes: given that the strategy development process will consist of meetings and consultations (time-intensive) combined with more flexible synthesis, analysis, and writing tasks, there may indeed be periods in which more intensive consultancy support is needed, and others where a lighter time commitment is appropriate.